Atamanenko joins Canadians in paying homage to Jack Layton

Wednesday (August 22) Canadians from coast to coast to coast will mark the first anniversary of Jack Layton’s passing following his fight with cancer.

Alex Atamanenko, MP, for BC Southern Interior invites constituents to keep the former NDP leader’s legacy alive by participating in a web-based activity joining with others from across the country to pay homage to Jack on the website www.dearjack.ca .

“Before Jack died, he shared some wise words with Canadians,” said Atamanenko:

“My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic.”

“Jack was the epitome of a trustworthy, honourable politician who inspired many Canadians, regardless of their political allegiance. He cared deeply about our country, and he really gave his life to it,” said Atamanenko.

“Jack appealed to the best in people. He gave so many young people, who are rightly critical of many aspects of our electoral system, something to believe in, something to hope for in what he was trying to achieve and the vision he shared with so many in our party.”

While no remembrance activities are organized locally, others are being held across the country, with the largest in Nathan Philips Square in Toronto on Wednesday evening,

Atamanenko is inviting constituents to go to www.dearjack.ca and share their memories of Jack Layton, and their words on what they appreciated about Jack, his work, his words, and his vision for a better Canada, and how it resonates with their own efforts to make Canada a better place to live.

The Dear Jack website was launched with the help of Jack’s family and friends by the Broadbent Institute.

People from across Canada have been invited to leave a message on the dearjack.ca website.